[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 32 (Wednesday, February 25, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E246-E247]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       HONORING GUSTAVO SAMBRANO

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. BETO O'ROURKE

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 25, 2015

  Mr. O'ROURKE. Mr. Speaker, I am honored to rise today to recognize 
Mr. Gustavo

[[Page E247]]

Sambrano, a native El Pasoan with a commendable record of service to 
his community and our nation.
  Mr. Sambrano was born on March 26, 1932. He attended Bowie High 
School, a local institution with a rich and distinguished history of 
overcoming adversity and a consistent dedication to service. Mr. 
Sambrano was a proud member of the 1949 Texas state championship 
baseball team. This team primarily consisted of economically 
disadvantaged, Mexican-American students from El Paso's historic 
Segundo Barrio neighborhood. While traveling to Austin to play in the 
state championship, the team faced rampant racial discrimination. Upon 
arrival and against all odds, the Bears beat the most favored team in 
the state, the Austin Maroons. Mr. Sambrano would continue to remain 
engaged with his teammates and participate in community initiatives 
throughout his lifetime. In 2006, the El Paso Baseball Hall of Fame 
recognized the accomplishments of the team. Additionally, Sports 
Illustrated wrote a 2011 feature on the team further amplifying 
recognition of their profound accomplishment.
  Following graduation from high school in 1950, Mr. Sambrano enlisted 
in the United States Air Force. Mr. Sambrano served honorably in 
numerous locations throughout the world to include England, Greenland, 
Italy, Korea, Spain and Thailand.
  Following retirement after 20 years of faithful service from the U.S. 
Air Force, Mr. Sambrano attained a B.A from The University of Texas at 
El Paso. Mr. Sambrano continued to serve his local community as an 
educator with the El Paso Independent School District and his nation 
through federal civilian service in numerous capacities, with his 
career eventually culminating in retirement from the Defense Logistics 
Agency in Alexandria, Virginia. Following the completion of his 
civilian career, Mr. Sambrano once again returned home to El Paso, the 
community he held dearly.
  I thank Mr. Sambrano for being an honorable ambassador of our 
community to the world through his notable service. While his road to 
success was often filled with adversity, Mr. Sambrano represents the 
ambition, dedication, perseverance and resilience that is so indicative 
of the many great El Pasoans I have the distinct privilege to 
represent.

                          ____________________